Number of killed by radio-connections in Lebanon goes to 20

A new wave of extraordinary explosions, targeted by Hezbollah and carried out through radio connections, left at least 20 dead and more than 450 injured in different cities in Lebanon.

International observers have warned that simultaneous explosions of thousands of communications devices could constitute war crimes, the paper reports “The Guardian”.

The targeted radio-connection blast occurred one day after 12 people were killed and more than 2,800 were injured by the outbreak of pegers, the move imposed on Israel and has prompted world leaders and diplomats to warn that this could lead to a full conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, despite UN and US efforts to avoid it.

A source within Hezbollah confirmed that the radio connections used by the group were in the grip of Wednesday's attack. A top security source said the separate explosions were small, similar to Tuesday's attacks.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the attacks and called for restraint from Hezbollah and Israel, while the Security Council is expected to meet Friday to discuss unprecedented operations in what appears to be massive compromise of the supply chain from Israeli intelligence.

During his visit to an air force base Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said his country is shifting its military focus towards the front with Hezbollah.

“The gravity centre is moving north, which means we are increasingly diverting the forces, resources and energy to the north” he said, adding that the goal is for displaced northern residents to return to their homes.

The minister later praised the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad for the <x0 major achievements”, but did not assume responsibility for the two-day attacks in Lebanon.